Coach

Huge horns this year. I'm lucky enough to live right up the street from Trapper's Den, so I get to see a lot of the racks coming off of the Reservation. Let me just tell ya, there is one in there right now that will blow your lid. Would have loved to have taken and posted pics here of it, but since I don't know the shooter, didn't figure it was my place to do so. According to the very knowledgable staff there it is the new #5 in the world scoring 459 (gross, I assume). They even have a shed from two years ago. I've also been helping a buddy in 3C this year, and I've been amazed at the number of exceptionally big bulls we've seen so far on his hunt.

I have the J105 and while I like it, I have to admit that it gets used about 1/10 as much as my Cabela's hybrid 3-in-1. If you are getting remote enough that making a 2nd trip to pack out your deer is out of the question, the Eberlestock is the only way to go. For my style of hunting, I want to stay as light and sweat free as I can, so I prefer the big fanny pack with a harness (badlands monster would be another good choice). I'm not opposed to coming back for the quarters if I have to, or in a pinch, boning it out and lashing my game bags to my shoulder straps.

Vortex really did redefine the world of mid-range optics. Up until recently I was reluctant to recommend any binocs to people who were looking for a good pair of binos at a reasonable price. That's all changing now. I have swaro 10s and 15s and I'm buying a pair of Vortex for my sons to use and to take to football games, etc.

Way cool. Great job and thanks for sharing the story and pictures with us.

Awesome goat. Thanks for the story and pictures.

Awesome! Congratulations, and thx for posting the pix.

WOW - congrats on some super bucks!

Funny thing is, there are a lot of folks who think CNN and MSNBC are balance news outlets and Foxnews is a right wing propaganda tool. No doubt the MSM is in a full-blown panic to try to find some way to discredit Palin, but according to the poles, it's not working.

Avoid Aimpoint. Ok scope - absolutely HORRIBLE customer service.

Ok, I'm going to buy a new front-stuffer and I've been all over the 'net trying to figure out which one is best. Price isn't a *major* factor, but let's just say I'm not willing to drop 2 grand for an "Ultimate Firearms" ML. I plan on topping it with a quality scope like the Luepold Ultimate Slam or Nikon Omega. So far I've narrowed it down like this: Knight Long Range Hunter (Thumbhole) TC Omega (Thumbhole) TC Triumph (Ugly as heck, but everyone seems to love them) And finally, just to get the traditionalists in an uproar... The Savage 10MLBTSS-II (shoots smokeless powder in addition to conventional BP substitutes) First off, I'm a firm believer in Savage guns and LOVE the accu-trigger, but according to the regs for both AZ and NM, it probably isn't *technically* legal to shoot a smokeless ML, although neither state comes out and clearly defines "Black Powder Substitutes". Technically, any smokeless powder is a black powder substitute, but I don't think that's what they had in mind when they wrote the regs. Pyrodex and Tripple7 both have to mix in additives to make them smoke like black powder - go figure. If AZ and NM follow the trend of other states, an allowance could be made for smokeless MLs which would definately tip the scales toward the Savage. Secondly, I'm a bit picky about the "looks" of a gun. All of the above are very nice looking guns with the exception of the truimph - IMO. It looks like my dad's old break-over 20 guage mated with a Hawkins and the offspring got "plastic surgery" . However when you read the customer reviews of the Triumph on Cabela's web site, they seem to be the best thing since sliced bread. That said, I can get the truimph WITH a good scope for what the other three cost bare-bones. So, I'm not worried about the technology factor - I've got a Hawkins .50 cal flintlock and a matching cap-lock from Grandpa for those "rough-it" hunts. I just want to get one good in-line that is well suited for long-range shooting. Any advice that can help me narrow down the choices would be great. Google any of the above and you'll find a huge fan base, so it's a little hard to figure out just which one will be the right one, and I don't want to go through the hassle of buying/selling/rebuying. Thanks, Jason

Yep, I've seen them like that up in the Pines and around the Black River.

Excellent job - and too bad about the 'yotes. That happened to a buddy of mine in NM. Although he also found his pretty early the morning after hitting it, it was little more than a head and a pile of bones. We're waiting for the story!

+1 for the Butler Creek. Haven't tried the vero vellini, but I would think of the Neoprene slings are a lot more comforatable than the "old school" leather ones.

Thanks for taking the time to share that awesome story and those great pictures with us! Congrats on an amazing hunt.

Funny enough, the Beast is still a virgin! It's a 25-06 that shoots great - just heavy with the 1" bull barrel. Gonna try to get some with it in unit 31 this year - leftover tag - Yeah Baby! The Beauty has a 50% track record with a miss at 460 yds (my fault) and a OSOK at 356 last year. Good hunting, J

Whatever you do, DON'T check in Pelosi's hotel with your cased rifle. It's all over the news - some guy got arrested for that.

Hmmmm - Beauty or the beast?

I second gunbroker. You can usually get really close to wholesale if you are patient. If you are in the White Mountains, Mogollon Gun and Safe.

#1) You can not control other people's actions, but you CAN control how you react to them. #2) If you find yourself in a hole, quit digging!

Great Job! Congratulations!!!

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a new Ranger but first I have to sell my project AZ trail Runner. It's a 1987 4Runner with actual ODO reading over 238K miles. The engine and tranny have under 50K each - it's a 22RE with a ton of custom extras. I'm asking $8k FTF, it's on Craig's list for $8500. Here's the lowdown: Truly a one-of-a-kind 1987 4Runner 4cyl 22RE trail/rock crawler conversion with solid axle swap and many extras. The ODO reads 238K miles, but both the engine and tranny have less than 50K miles on them. Pretty much everything on this vehicle has been recently added or rebuilt. • Trail-Gear IFS Eliminator Kit w/1984 solid front axle and 4” springs • Trail-Gear 4” rear lift kit. • ARB Air locker (on-demand) in front differential with dash-mounted controls and under-the-hood compressor • 5:29 Gears • Aussie locker (full time) in rear differential • Trail-Gear crossover steering • Trail-Gear 10” long-spline drive shaft with creeper joint • Both axles fully rebuilt with all new seals, bearings, etc. • Trail-Gear rock sliders with Durabak • Almost new Goodyear Wrangler MTR 35” tires on custom reverse-backspaced wheels • Thorley “Tri-Y” header • Custom swing-out spare tire/gas can carrier • Custom roof rack • Custom Durabak exterior/interior highly scratch resistant coating • 12” Bilstein shocks If you don’t know what any of the above are, you probably aren’t looking for this type of truck. If you do, you know these are some of the best components for this type of conversion available. Asking $8500 OBO. (928) 242-9350

AWESOME buck! Congrats!!!

This year - 80's. I'd sit on that buck for a year or so 'cause his width, eye-guards and G2, G3 length are the makings of a really nice rack. It kinda depends I guess, I wouldn't pass up the opp with a bow, but if he's in a place where he can gain a couple of years, he could be a toad. Great genetics, but he's young still. Good luck, and let us know if you put a tag on him.

Wow - Congratulations on such an amazing accomplishment. Great Job!!!